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Find the Right Training for Your Player by Josh Levine With so many options, picking the right summer training program for your athlete isn’t easy. The first step is identifying what your athlete needs from a hockey skills perspective and athleticism standpoint. Do they need to work on their skating and edge work? Do they lack knee bend when they skate and so need to focus on building the strength and mobility required to skate properly? Equally important is understanding your player’s temperament and personality. Are they intrinsically motivated? Or do they perform better when surrounded by peers that push them? Do they need to train in smaller group settings or do bigger camps work better for them? There are plenty of questions every parent should be asking themselves to help determine the best possible training camps for their skaters this summer. But for this article, let’s focus on understanding how best to pick a camp based on hockey specific skills and athleticism. Skating and edge work should be a major focus for all youth and high school hockey players. I’ve never seen a peewee skater and thought, “no need for him to work on his skating in the off-season.” Skating is the foundation and the calculated approach even professional hockey players take on it in their off-season training is a good model for our youth skaters to follow. Learn how to place greater pressure on your edges, improve your stride recovery, extend your pushes, etc. In addition to form corrections, players need time devoted to overspeed. Sprinting
at top speeds on the ice with sufficient rest is something many players don’t do during the season because of the many other requirements coaches need to tackle. Dryland training that builds overall athleticism is crucial to long-term development. Dryland training with mites and squirts MUST be fun or there is an increased risk of burnout. There are plenty of fun games that work on developing athleticism – whether playing other sports like soccer, doing relay races, or playing freeze tag. For peewees, they are in the golden window of skill development. The more they can stickhandle and work
on their stick skills, the better. Once athletes hit bantams and through high school, the major focus should be on building speed, acceleration, and explosive power. Pick camps that focus on skills and have good work to rest ratios. Off-season practices should be entirely devoted to skill and work to rest ratios should be no greater than 1:3. If a player skates in a drill that takes seven seconds to complete, they shouldn’t be sitting in a long line for a minute and a half before they go again. This is an easy metric for any parent to note, regardless of their hockey knowledge, Finally, your player should have
FUN! Let’s not forget this one. Passion is the #1 ingredient for success. Players should have fun at camps and summer training. Find camps that help instill a joy and love for hockey. I guarantee that investment will compound for your athlete for the rest of their lives! - Josh Levine is the assistant coach of the Bloomington Jefferson Girls’ Varsity Hockey team and owner of Fortis Academy. He can be reached at joshletsplayhockey@gmail.com. Follow Fortis on Instagram at instagram.com/ thefortisacademy and Facebook at facebook.com/thefortisacademy.
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Let’s Play Hockey
February 1, 2018
LUMBERYARD HOCKEY STILLWATER CENTER MN HELP YOUR PLAYER SHOOT FOR THE SKY THIS SUMMER AND ACHIEVE THEIR HOCKEY GOALS. SUMMER TRAINING AT THE THE LUMBERYARD IS ALL ABOUT YOU CHOOSING WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO WORK ON MOST. FOR SOME IT IS POWER SKATING. FOR OTHERS, IT IS SHOOTING OR STICKHANDLING. AND MANY WANT TO ADD FUN WITH GOLF INCLUDED. WHATEVER IS BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR P L AY E R S S C H E D U L E , W E H AV E C O S T E F F E C T I V E PROGRAMS THAT MAKE YOUR CHILD BETTER AND THEY HAVE A TON OF FUN IN THE PROCESS. BELOW ARE A FEW EXAMPLES. POWER SKATING PROGRAM - BECOME A BETTER SKATER WITH OUR INNOVATIVE CORE CURRICULUM WHICH INCLUDES EXPLOSIVENESS, MUSCLE MEMORY FOR PROPER POSTURE, AND BALANCE. THREE AGE LEVELS, TWO TIMES PER WEEK, TWO HOURS PER DAY (1 HOUR ON ICE, 1 HOUR OFF ICE) FOR FIVE WEEKS. GREAT FOR ANY PLAYER. PROGRAM FILLS FAST SO REGISTER NOW. HEADS UP STICKHANDLING - PUCK CONTROL IS ONE THING, PUCK CONTROL WITH YOUR HEAD UP IS ANOTHER. WE TRAIN OUR PLAYERS TO CONTROL THE PUCK WITH THEIR HEAD UP AND USE THEIR PERIPHERAL VISION TO SEE THE PUCK. WHEN DONE THIS WAY THEY TRAIN TO SEE THE GAME, THEIR TEAMMATES AND THE CHOICES THEY HAVE TO MAKE A PLAY. HOCKEY GOLF CAMP - READY FOR A FULL DAY OF FUN AND GETTING BETTER AT THE SAME TIME! JOIN OUR HOCKEY GOLF CAMP AND GET AN HOUR OF ON ICE SKILL DEVELOPMENT, AN HOUR ON ICE OF 3V3, LUNCH AND THEN OFF TO THE GOLF COURSE. KIDS REPORT THIS AS THE MOST FUN THEY HAVE ALL SUMMER. JOIN WITH A BUDDY OR 2 AND MAKE A LIFE LONG MEMORY. REGISTER EARLY, THIS CAMP FILLS FAST.
SEE MORE CAMPS ON OUR WEB SITE OR CALL LEE @ 651-253-8947
LumberYardSports.com 2018 LUMBERJACK LEAGUE IS ALMOST FULL. REGISTRATION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 28TH • 17
GAMES INCLUDING PLAYOFF GAMES - 9 SPRING GAMES FROM LATE MARCH – LATE MAY, 8 FALL GAMES FROM AUGUST – SEPTEMBER (FALL MITE SESSION STARTS IN LATE AUGUST) • LUMBERYARD 3V3 GAME JERSEY • DAILY UPDATED LEAGUE WEBSITE WITH TEAM SCORES AND STANDINGS • LEAGUE WILL END BEFORE ASSOCIATION TRYOUTS BEGIN IN THE FALL • FAST PACED GAMES WITH MORE TOUCHES AND SHOTS • BEST WAY TO DEVELOP PLAYERS WHILE HAVING A TON OF FUN • LAST YEAR WE HAD 98 TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE • $3,495 PER TEAM ($269 PER PLAYER WITH 12 SKATERS AND A GOALIE) TEAMS FOR MINOR MITE, MAJOR MITE, MINOR SQUIRT, MAJOR SQUIRT, MINOR PEEWEE, MAJOR PEEWEE, BANTAM
*GIRLS CAN CHOOSE TO PLAY AT THEIR AGE LEVEL OR ONE YEAR DOWN.
NOW TAKING INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATIONS FOR PLAYERS WITHOUT TEAMS
2018
GO TO LUMBERYARDSPORTS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
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HEARTLAND HOCKEY CAMPS
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Let’s Play Hockey
Hockey Finder Youth Hockey League
Location: North and South, Fogerty and Edina Levels: Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, High School Description: Weekly Sunday afternoon games. No heavy coaching, simply playing the game in a structured environment. Free Play if you follow modern development ideas. Contact: Derrik Dyka Phone: 612-840-2500 E-mail: derrik@hockeyfinder.com Website: www.hockeyfinder.com/yhl
Heartland Hockey Camp
Location: Deerwood, Minnesota Levels: 4-84; June17-Aug. 25 Description: Skills Camps, Select Camps, Super Select Camps, AAA Camps, Girls Camp, Goalie Camp, Adult Camp. Owned and operated by U.S. Olympian and NHL player Steve Jensen. Contact: Steve Jensen, Executive Director and Founding Owner Phone: Office: 800-945-7465; Cell: 218-820-1604 E-mail: steve@heartlandhockey.com Website: www.heartlandhockey.com
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Minnesota Made
Location: 7300 Bush Lake Road, Edina, MN Levels: Rookies through College and Juniors Description: Individual skill development in all areas of hockey Phone: 952-746.9033 Website: minnesotamadehockey.com or mnmadehockeytraining.com
Yuro SK8 Systems
Location: North America Description: Documented and proven professional hockey training in the NHL, AHL, USHL NAHL, NA3HL, USPHL. Yuro Sk8 Systems and Skill Development has been one of the pioneers in training for decades. Yuro Sk8 has collaborated and mentored under some of the best hockey skills coaches in the world. Yuro has transformed hockey skills training into cutting edge and proven systems approach. Once you try Yuro , you will quickly realize why hockey players return and are the ones that rise above the rest at the rink. E-mail: yuro@yuro-sk8.com Web: www.yuro-sk8.com Twitter: @yurosk8systems Facebook: @YuroSk8
Minnesota Girls Hockey Camps Saint Mary’s University Hockey Camps
Location: Saint Mary’s University Campus, Winona, MN Levels: Bantam, Midget and High School Players; Sunday July 8-Saturday July 14 Description: Located in Southern Minnesota, Saint Mary’s Hockey Camp is a one-week residential camp designed to enhance skill development in a college hockey environment. Contact: Bill Moore, Director Phone: (651) 442-7306 E-Mail: saintmaryshockeycamp@gmail.com Website: www.saintmaryshockeycamp.com
303 Hockey & Training Center
Location: 235 County Road 81, Osseo, MN Levels: Mites, SuperMites/U8, Squirts, Pee Wees, Bantams, U10 and U12 3 Sessions are 3 Weeks each On and Off Ice Training Description: We believe that providing an opportunity for players to play 3 on 3 hockey on our smaller ice surface is the best development opportunity available. The smaller area requires players to engage in the play, make quicker decisions and compete harder. Unencumbered by the structure, systems, and coaching aspects of the full ice game, players are free to be creative, take risks, and even make mistakes, which are all critical aspects of player development. Phone: 763-377-0520 Website: www.303hockey.com
Top Dog Hockey Camps
Location: 6 Locations in MN: TRIA RinkWild Training Center, Breezy Point Ice Arena, Schwan Super Rink, Dakotah Ice Center, Richfield Ice Arena and Shakopee Ice Arena. Levels: Weeklong Camps, Overnight Camps, Golf/Hockey Camps, 3-Day Weekend Clinics, AAA Programs, 3v3 & 5v5 Leagues. Description: Minnesota’s top hockey camp for 29 years! Our highly-skilled instructors have provided superior hockey training to more than 30,000 players-- many who have gone on to successful high school, college and even pro careers! Our coaches employ innovative, engaging, and challenging drills to drive players to the next level. Contact: John Haglund, Owner/Operator Phone: 952-233-0101 E-mail: info@topdoghockey.com Website: www.topdoghockey.com
Tiro Hockey
WWW.TIROHOCKEY.COM
Location: Soudan, MN Levels: 14-16+ Description: Off-season/Summer workout programs. 16-week program focusing on weight training, cardio, plyos/agility, hockey skills. Contact: Nate DiCasmirro E-mail: nate@tirohockey.com Phone: 612.223.5129 Website: www.tirohockey.com
Shattuck-St. Mary’s Hockey Camp
Location: Held on the campus of Shattuck-St Mary’s School in Faribault, Minnesota. Levels: Ages 11-16, Tournament Camp Birth years 02-03 and 04-05, Elite Camp birth years 06-07 Description: Shattuck-St Mary’s boys and girls hockey camps offer aspiriing young players a depth of experience that few camps can match. Join us this summer! Contact: Camp Director - Christian Bragnalo Phone: (507) 333-1712 E-mail: s-sm.org/summer-programs-camps
Location: Ridder Arena, on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Levels: 10U, 12U, U15/JV, HS Varsity Camp Description: Opportunity for girls of all ages to be instructed by the Gopher coaches and players. Contact: Brad Frost Phone: 952-233-010 E-mail: frobrad@gmail.com Website: www.minnesoatgirlshockeycamps.com
Carroll Goalie School
Location: Five Twin Cities locations: Blaine (Schwan Super RInk), Eagan, Edina (Braemar), Richfield, St. Paul (TRIA Rink). Levels: Ages 6-15. Intro to goaltending, Intermediate Skills, Advanced Skills, Tryout Tune-Up. Description: This is 24th year CGS is helping goalies of all abilities take their game to new levels by building individual skills, techniques, consistency and selfconfidence. Popular weekend sessions held JuneSept. Sponsored by Brian’s Custom Sports. Contact: Steve Carroll Phone: 612-703-2449 E-Mail: info@carrollgs.com Website: www.carrollgs.com
How is your tryout going? by Josh Levine
As we enter the final stretch of the regular season for youth and high school programs, it is a good time for any player to ask themselves, “how is my tryout going?” A major misconception is that tryouts are simply a week-long process which occurs in the fall. That is false. Tryouts never end. Every game, practice, team get together, and study session for a tough exam is, in a sense, a tryout. These tryouts may not be as structured or intently watched as those in the fall, but they are incredibly important – for some players, more so than the real tryouts. Because tryouts are flawed, coaches use as much information as they can to make decisions. They’ll often talk to previous coaches to get a sense of their in-season play and impact in the locker room, for example. Below are several reasons why tryouts alone are often not enough for coaches to make decisions: Tryouts often don’t show a player’s character, ability to work with teammates, and leadership skills. You can’t easily determine what a
player will do when his teammates are bullying a friend on the squad during tryouts. Will he stand up for his friend or join the bullies? It’s hard to see from a tryout if a given player will negatively impact the locker room or how a player will deal with adversity when the team is down by a goal during playoffs. The list goes on. Will players that work hard in September do the same in mid-February when it matters most? Tryouts can be a bit artificial. Whatever percentage of players work hard during a tryout, that percentage is certainly lower in January. Tryout hockey is different from regular season team play. The puck goes from scrum to scrum up and down the ice. Some players are great at this game, but lack the hockey IQ and skills necessary to play a style of hockey that emphasizes passing and movement without the puck. Most youth coaches can probably name a few players that didn’t look great in tryouts, yet played very well once team play started. This isn’t to say tryouts are a waste of time! They are useful and needed. Players just need to keep in mind that they never really end.
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Robb Stauber’s Future Olympian Camp Location: Deerwood, Minnesota; August 19-25, 2018 Levels: U8/U10, U12, U14, U16/U19 (Girls Only) Description: Girls only camp for players ages 6-19. This camp is for exceptionally skilled players. Learn from and play with the best female hockey players in the world! Contact: Steve Jensen, Executive Director and Founding Owner Phone: Office: 800-945-7465; Cell: 218-820-1604 E-mail: steve@heartlandhockey.com Website: www.heartlandhockey.com
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Take advantage of the summer by Jack Blatherwick
Chip Kelly, former coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, and former coach of the University of Oregon Ducks, said this about every workout, even off-season Your Minnesota strength training, “People should be able hockey destination! to come, observe you, and in five minutes know what you stand for.” Next Level Hockey Camp Next Level Hockey Camp Among other team qualities of charBirth years: 2005-2010 • Boys & girls Location: Schwan Super Rink, Blaine, MN acter and focus, the Ducks’ priorities are • All day summer hockey camp Levels: 2005-2010 Boys & Girls • Age appropriate skill development SPEED and speed-endurance that is unDescription: Enjoy an all-day, first-class summer • On ice and off ice activities comfortable for their opponents. Kelhockey development program that takes advantage of • Dedicated, trained hockey staff ly played • Register for single or multiple weeks college football, and was also a everything the National Sports Center has to offer. Age hockey player through high school. He appropriate hockey skill training combined with drywould ask, if hockey is your passion, and land training and field trips. The most fun your kids will Contact Rob Loftus, Ph: 763.717.3895 | Email: rloftus@superrink.org have all summer. Register for multiple weeks and save! www.superrink.org someone watches you train for five minContact: Rob Loftus utes, do they see that your effort is making Phone: 763.717.3895 you a better hockey player? E-mail: rloftus@superrink.org Do they see explosive athleticism Website: www.superrink.org - click on Youth Hockey and read-react decisions? Do you play dynamic, fast-moving sports, like Tennis, Lacrosse, Soccer, or Football? Sprinting in Track is excellent for developing speed, but Tradition Hockey Mites Training doesn’t have creative decisions like other Location: Minnetonka, Roseville, Blaine sports. Baseball has many great athletic Levels: Mites qualities, but you’ll need to add some extra Description: Former Mr. Hockey and Hobey Baker sprints – not wind sprints for endurance, Award winner Marty Sertich will host a Monday but short, all-out races with plenty of rest. Night Mites program in Minnetonka in May, June Are you shooting pucks and stickhanand July and also an 8-week Mite program in dling off-ice? When you get on the ice, do Roseville and Blaine starting June 12 that runs twice a week on Tuesdays and you practice creativity? Are there plenty Thursdays and includes one hour of ice and one hour of dryland. of chances to try things that might not be Contact: Tradition Hockey Phone: 651.307.4124 Website: www.traditionhockey.org
allowed by your winter coach? After all, winter hockey is becoming way too restrictive for development of playmaking skills, so take advantage of the summer. Can an observer tell in each five-minute segment of your strength workout that speed and quickness are high priorities? Are you moving your body explosively, not just moving a barbell? Many programs are nothing but heavy, slow barbell movement, restricted to one plane, and featuring deceleration in the last part of the lift – at precisely the moment you’d like to accelerate during your skating stride. Some of this is helpful for sure, but you also have to move your body explosively if you want to get quicker. Are many of your exercises designed to make you a better skater? Does the range and speed of motion look and feel like skating? For example, abduction is thrusting to the side from the hips, and it is critical for skating power. Some weight rooms don’t include any explosive abduction. They feature extension at the hips – straight down or backwards, as if hockey players have toe picks like figure skaters. Besides spending your time and energy wisely, make sure it’s fun, so you are passionate about improvement, even when it’s hard?
Lumberyard Sports
Planet Hockey Skills Training Camps – USA
56+ USA Summer Skills Camps. Location: 60+ USA locations for summer 2018. Levels: Male & females; Ages 6 – 17. Grouped by age and ability level. Description: The most COMPLETE hockey skills camp available. Our 24th year! 12-18 hours per week. All camps include specialized on & off-ice programs: power skating, puck control, scoring, passing, team play, small games drills, body contact & puck protection, scrimmages, dryland circuit training, lectures, films/videos, free jersey, expert international staff. Sessions for all levels & positions, male & female. Phone:(720) 304-3880 or (800) 320-7545 E-Mail: info@planethockey.com Website: www.planethockey.com
Planet Hockey Resident SUPER Camps
7 Day Resident Resort Hockey/Adventure Camps Locations: Breckenridge, CO & Sheffield, MA (Berkshire School) Levels: Specialized Sessions for Squirt thru High School, Plus, Parent/Child Session (ages 6+) Description: 7-day resident hockey/outdoor adventure camp. Top Resort lodging and meals! Complete total player development on-ice camp plus outdoor adventure camp. Power skating, puck control, scoring, passing, team play, small games drills, body contact & puck protection, dryland circuit training, lectures, videos, consulting, free jersey, expert instructional & outdoor adventure staff, fun. Phone: (720) 304-3880 or (800) 320-7545 E-Mail: info@planethockey.com Website: www.planethockey.com
Planet Hockey European Hockey Summit ‘18
22nd Annual International Planet Hockey Camp & Tournament Location: Esbjerg, DENMARK. Dates: July 26-August 4, 2018. Levels/Divisions: Squirt (08/09), Peewee (06/07), Bantam (04/05), Midget (01/02/03). Description: World-class coaching, training and hockey experience. 5 day International hockey academy/camp, plus 3 day tournament. On ice training with European players & coaching, mixed bench games, tournament, classroom sessions, dryland training, skills competition and more! Players stay with host Danish EIK hockey families, perfect balance of top quality hockey, cultural experiences (castles, beaches and sight-seeing), parent activities, beautiful hotel for parents, coaches education program & much more! Seeking skilled teams, individual players, quality coaches and great hockey families. All teams almost full! Phone: (720) 304-3880 or (800) 320-7545 E-Mail: info@planethockey.com Website: www.planethockey.com
Planet Hockey European ADULT Hockey Summit ‘18
13th Annual Oktoberfest Adult Hockey Classic - GERMANY Location: Fussen, Germany & Munich, Germany. Dates: September 17-24, 2018. Levels/Divisions: 2 Co-ed Divisions: Division 1 (Junior/College/Pro) | Division 2 (Intermediate). Limited to 4 US teams. Description: 8 Games against teams from Finland, Switzerland, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Singapore, Romania, Slovakia, Dubai, Spain, Italy and Czech Republic. Play in a German professional arena. Custom sublimated team jersey & socks. PLUS Bavarian welcome party, Neuschwanstein Castle Tour, Rare 8 hour Oktoberfest beerhall ticket (Munich), Bavarian hotel - Füssen, Germany, All meals except lunch, Airport transfers, Pub crawls and much more. Phone: (720) 304-3880 or (800) 320-7545 E-Mail: info@planethockey.com Website: www.planethockey.com
Location: Stillwater, MN Ages/Levels: 3-25 Camp/Program Description: We have approximately 45 different camp sessions for the summer of 2018. PowerSkating, Heads Up StickHandling, College Men, College Women, Checking Camp, Dynamites, D-man Camp, and Hockey Golf Camp, just to name a few. All camps listed on our website Contact Information: Lee Erickson E-Mail: lee.rickson@lumberyardsports.com Website: LumberYardSports.com
Impact Hockey Academy Boys and Girls Challenge Camp
Location: St. Johns Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin Levels: 2007-2002 Birth years ( 2008 consideration but approval needed) Description: This Camp is truly one of a kind hockey camp, helping enhance athlete’s self-confidence, develop themselves both individually and as a member of a team. Designed for the “higher level athlete” that wants to be pushed both on and off the ice. Camp includes daily on-ice instruction as well as military adventure training in the field and in the classroom. Contact: Bud Simon Phone: 262-825-8426 E-mail: ibud@impacthockeycamps.com Website: www.impacthockeyacademy.com
Learn To Skate Clinics
Location: Schwan Super Rink, Blaine, MN Levels: Ages 3+ Description: Skating fundamentals for kids of all ages. Start as young as 3, and progress through our ISI skill levels to skating mastery. This clinic is popular and fills fast, register soon! Spring clinics start in March, Summer clinics start in June. Contact: Anna Leik 763.717.3209 Phone: 763.717.3209 E-mail: aleik@superrink.org Website: www.superrink.org - click on Skating
Simply Defense
Location: 43 locations in 9 states: MN, MI, IL, WI, PA, OH, NY, NJ, CT Levels: Mites-Midgets Description: Program dedicated to defensemen. 100% defensive content focusing on foot speed, backward and lateral mobility, gap control, pressure vs containment, playing the rush, puck movement, winning battles in the corners, behind the net and in the slot. 6 to 1 student to instructor ratio. Program developed by Jeff Blum, former OHL, NAJHL, and UHL coach. 2 different defense camps, regular program open to all ages and a Junior Prep Camp open to 02 and older only (Jr. Prep available at selelct locaitons only) Contact: Mike Risdale Phone: 810-985-4529 E-Mail: mikerisdale@simplydefense.com Website: www.simplydefense.com
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Let’s Play Hockey
Surefire Hockey
Location: Vadnais Sports Center, 1490 County Road E, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110 Levels: Mites/Girls U8 - Bantams/Girls U14 Description: Surefire Hockey Clinics breaks
players into small groups based on age and ability. Surefire Skating Technique Training reinforces proper power skating, edge control, first three stride starts, stops, transitioning, backward skating and crossovers. Innovative strength training bands, video analysis and other training tools are utilized as well. Surefire Shooting and Stickhandling Training reinforces proper shooting and stickhandling technique. Players are taught proper weight transfer and shooting stance to allow for maximum power and accuracy for slap, snap, backhand, and wrist shots. Custom made stickhandling training tools are used to help develop quick hands and video analysis is used to show proper shooting technique. Emphasis is also given to deking, and puck control. Surefire Small Games and Situational Awareness Training includes proper body positioning in front of the net and along the boards, puck protection, recognizing offensive and defensive situations and challenging one on one drills.
Contact: Steve O’Hern Phone: 651-505-1222 E-Mail: surefirehockey@gmail.com Website: www.surefirehockey.com
Girl Power Hockey Camp
Location: Breezy Point Resort; Breezy Point, MN Levels: U10-U15 Girls Description: Designed for the enthusiastic U10-U15 player to improve their hockey and skating skills with special focus on balance, edges, body positioning as well as unmatched level of fun activities. Our coaching staff will maximize players motivation, development and improvement. Contact: Barb Yackel Phone: 651-283-4467 E-mail: girlpowerhockey@comcast.net
Rocky Mountain Adventure Hockey Camp/RMHS Selects Elite Camp
Location: Steamboat Springs & Denver, CO Levels: Ages 9-16 Description: Rocky Mountain Adventure Resident Hockey Camp situated in Steamboat Springs, CO. The perfect mix of high end hockey instruction and Professionally Guided Mountain Activities! Resident and day camper options available. RMHS Selects Elite Camp hosted at the University of Denver. This camp is for AA & AAA players from the birth years 2004-2007. Resident and day camper options available. Contact: Bryan Smith Phone: 303.409.2113 E-mail: Admin@RMHShockey.com Website: www.RMHShockey.com
February 1, 2018
Gentry Astros Elite Training Program
Location: Gentry Academy (Vadnais Sports Center) 1420 County Road E Vadnais Heights, MN Camp Description: Accelerated Spring/Summer Training reaching optimal success. 5S Training focuses on strength, speed, skating, shooting and skill. The 3V3 Elite League focuses on high-tempo offense, creativity, small area development and fun. Levels: 2002-2008 Boys & Girls Contact: Jennifer Kurth - 651-604-8300; Joe Jensen - 763-568-9101 Website: www.gentryastros.com
Lamoureux Hockey Camps
Location: Detroit Lakes, MN Levels: Mites to High School Description: Youth Hockey camp - On-Ice skill development and In-Game application. Contact: Pierre and Randi Website: Register at www.lamoureuxhockey.com
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Let’s Play Hockey
February 1, 2018
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Do NOT Keep it Simple … at Least not in the Off-Season by Jack Blatherwick The color commentator sounded as if he’d just seen the greatest athletic achievement in history. He was ecstatic to explain that the two teams sharing a 0-0 tie after one period, “Kept it simple.” This wasn’t a playoff game, where winning might arguably be the only purpose. This was regular season, college hockey where one might expect improvement to be part of the long-range plan. What is it about SIMPLE, that drives coaches and commentators to convince us that safe, vanilla hockey is the path to greatness? In other sports, it’s about complexity and deceptiveness, and ‘going for it.’ What would the Great One say? Did Gretzky become Gretzky by keeping it simple? Or Datsyuk? Crosby? Kane? Benn? Parise? Is that how we sell 8-yearolds on hockey? “Sign up, and for the next couple decades your goal is to ‘keep it simple?’ Anatoli Tarasov, the father of Soviet hockey, observed that the North American focus was on stopping attacks, while the Soviet philosophy was on creating them. We might stop for a second, and ask why solid defense and creative attack are considered mutually exclusive? We’re the only sport that believes you shouldn’t try to do both with the same passion and creativity. And, while other sports improve each year, we’re stuck in the mud, like football was a century ago, before they discovered the forward pass. The answer is obvious, but it needs emphasis: when the other team has the puck, play your butt off on defense. When we have the puck, it’s ‘No-holds-barred.’ Try anything. Create. Be deceptive. Pass forward, backward, and to empty lanes. Experiment … at least for a few months in the off-season. I waited till spring to print this radical thought. After all, if a player tried a little non-simplicity, and risked a turnover in-season, he or she’d get benched. To chalk up a win for the meaningless record, coaches inadvertently spoil the fun and individual skill development.
So, I speak to players. The off-season is your chance. Go for it. Attack with all the tools you dream about. Use teammates in the most creative ways possible. These months aren’t just about developing strength and speed. Improve rink sense, playmaking, and scoring skills as well as defensive play. Develop better vision, anticipation, and read-react decisions by competing in tight areas – small rinks. Our sport hasn’t improved in fifty years. Oh, players are bigger, faster, and stronger, and they’ve practiced skills by the hour with excellent teachers. But, they’re
not better playmakers, because coaches don’t allow it. Fear of the dreaded turnover ends any discussion about offensive creativity, just as it would in football if coaches were paralyzed with fear. But in football, the solution is to practice deception and complex passing attacks, so that execution reduces the chance of interceptions. Our answer is to run away from it. For our sport to improve, adults must recognize that skill development in games is more important than a winning record. Keeping it simple all winter is a fool’s approach to being at your best by playoff time. A simple, less skillful approach
would be foreign to lacrosse, football, basketball, tennis, gymnastics, diving, figure skating, half-pipe freestyle … well … every other sport but hockey. A young golfer, Jordan Spieth just took a giant step at the Masters, toward an elite position in history by refusing to sit conservatively on a lead. Four straight days he ignored the dangers of ‘going for it,’ and sprinted out of reach of the pack. His greatest fear seemed to be that he might let ‘simple or safe’ creep into his psyche. Somehow, our spokesmen in hockey have decided that ‘SIMPLE’ is the path to greatness.
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Let’s Play Hockey
Train for athleticism by Josh Levine Quick strides: nothing compares to short off-ice sprints with adequate rest. Accelerate as fast as you can for 10-15 yards; walk quickly back to the starting line as you recover. Practice efficient application of force (it transfers to skating) by leaning forward, keeping your body in a straight line (don’t bend at the waist into pike position). This ensures that force passes through your center of mass. Pulling a sled attached to the shoulders helps you experience greater lean. Longer strides = Wider strides: ‘Abduction from the hips’ means thrusting to the side. This is a major source of skating power, so emphasize abduction on and off the ice. To lengthen your stride at high speeds, you must widen it, so as you practice on the ice, try to generate great force to the side once you have built up some speed. As this propels you forward, you end up pushing backward (hip extension), at the end of each stride. Off-ice exercises that increase stride width, are side lunges, Heiden jumps and Russian Box jumps (both to the side), plus Slide Board repetitions, where the focus is on knee bend and explosiveness. Less equipment means faster repetitions: Today’s shoulder pads look like they’re designed for football. Hockey pants (Breezers) have way too much padding, and restrict the width and length of the stride. Speed-skating coaches would never burden skaters with extra weight and restrictive pants. Keep in mind that all repetitions result in semi-permanent changes in the brain, and we make young players practice slower, restricted strides at an age when learning is greatest.
What should be done? First get a pair of scissors, and remove some padding. Keep in mind the manufacturer is protecting the company from lawsuits, not just protecting your child’s body. Include some ‘Skating Improvement Days,’ without breezers and shoulder pads. Your feet will move faster, and your stride length-width will increase. Don’t bother emailing about bruises. I don’t consider them important enough to compromise learning. Are figure skaters and speed skaters immune to bruises, or are they just tougher-minded? Ultimately strength training must be explosive: weighted and un-weighted jumps (one and two-legged) are an essential part of your training. Traditional weight training can be a constructive base at some ages, but it is limited, because: (1) it is slow; (2) it includes deceleration in the last half of the movement, at precisely the point where the skating stride requires acceleration; (3) there is no abduction, so we lose a major source of skating power; and (4) the range of motion is restricted to one plane, so there is no rotation of hip joints. All of these are essential for skating improvement. I once asked Michael Crowe, the US junior speed-skating coach at the time (now working with the highly successful Canadian speed-skaters) if he would ever attempt to teach skating without dryland practice. His reply was similar to others around the world, “Why would you even try it? There is so much kinesthetic learning in dryland practice, including force efficiency, extended range of motion, and one-legged explosiveness.”
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LAMOUREUX
HOCKEY CAMP
Detroit Lakes, MN June-July 2018 Camp Schedule
LEARN THE FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS:
Skating • Passing • Shooting • Puck Handling • Edge Work
APPLY THE FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS:
June 11 - 14 • June 18 -21 June 25 -28 • July 2 -5 Age Groups/Times Mites – 9:00 to 10:30am Squirts – 10:45am to 12:15pm Pee-Wees – 12:30 to 2:00pm Bantams/HS Girls – 2:15 to 3:45pm HS Boys – TBD
Small Area Games • 1-on-1 and Game Scenario Teaching Lodging available at Holiday Inn Detroit Lakes- Lake Front (218-847-2121) and Fair Hills Resort (800-323-2849)
REGISTER AT
www.lamoureuxhockey.com www.twitter.com/lamoureuxhockey @lamoureuxhockey
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4 Pieces of Advice To Kick-Start Summer Training by Kim McCullough, M.Sc, YCS I have to admit, my life is pretty hockey-centric. Even when I take things a little slower in May & June, I’m still in hockey mode. What can I say, I love what I do and I’m always thinking of ways to help players get to the next level. I was in the middle of a workout the other day when I started to think about little tidbits of advice I could share with you to help you get better. And once I started to write the first few down, they just kept coming. I came up with 8 overall and I’m going to share the first 4 with you today. I’ll save the next 4 for later in the summer. So here are the first 4 little pieces of advice that will help you be a better player. None of them are life changing, but they could be a game-changer for you when you hit the ice next season. #1: STOP TRYING TO HIT THE CROSSBAR!!!!! Sorry for yelling, but this is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. We all love the highlight reel goals where a player goes bar-down. But just think about what happens if you miss? Depending on how hard you shoot, it could lead to an easy breakout for the other team or at least a 50-50 puck that you have to battle to get back. I really don’t understand why players cheer in practice and games when the pcuk hits the bar - it’s not even a real shot on net! I want players to aim for the mesh part of the net - because that’s where the goals are. Which we all know we need more of in girls’ hockey. I heard an interesting story about Mike Bossy that I wanted to share. If you don’t know who Mike Bossy is, google him. He is the NHL’s all-time
leader in average goals scored per game and has the record for most consecutive 50+ goal seasons. So he scored - a lot.He would always practice shooting at the end of practice. No surprise there - goal scorers do that a lot. But he would always aim for the MIDDLE OF THE NET. Sometimes his teammates would ask why he was aiming for the middle of the net. Seemed like a strange place to aim for a guy who was obviously a sniper. His reply ‘if I aim for the middle and miss, it’s still going to hit the net’. Just a little something to think about - his numbers don’t lie. #2: DO YOGA. I know some of you are thinking, “that’s not for me.” And I used to think the same thing. To be honest, I didn’t think yoga was hard enough or athletic enough. Until I tried it and realized how playing hockey had gotten me all twisted up in the wrong places and I desperately needed to work on my flexibility and mobility. Trust me - those first few sessions weren’t pretty. I started on my yoga adventure in my 2nd year of university. I bought two VHS tapes online and did them each once a week in my dorm room. I wish I had videos of my doing those videos the first few times - very humbling to say the least. But I got better and it definitely made me a better player. How? I recovered faster from games, practices and workouts. I could see a difference in my flexibility and mobility within a few weeks. I felt better. And when you feel better, you play better. I’ve been doing yoga at least once a week every since. I’m not fanat-
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Training advice continued from page 24______________ ical about it, but it’s made me a better athlete and a better coach. So try it. You only need to do it once or twice a week to feel a difference. #3: PLAY MORE THAN ONE POSITION. Time for a mindset change here. You are not a left winger, right winger or centre - you’re a forward. You’re not a left D or right D - you’re a D. Goalies - well, you’re usually staying put. And sometimes Ds can play forward and forwards can play D. There’s not greater example of how effective a player can be by changing positions that Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks. The guy was an excellent forward in the NHL, but when he moved back to D, he became a superstar. And I’m sure all his coaches love the fact that they could move him up and down the bench to play either position if they needed to. That’s called versatility. I love having players who can play forward and D. Ds who get moved to forward have a great sense for how to pressure the opponent’s D on the forecheck. They aren’t afraid to go into traffic and play physical in the attacking zone. They always tell me that they feel free up there. And here’s the reality for all you centers out there: as you move up to higher levels, more and more players are centers. You have to learn to play on the wing. I’ll put it into numbers for you: There are only 4 centers on the national team. But there are 8 wingers. If you can play both positions effectively, you give your coaches a lot more flexibility on where they can put you in the lineup. If you are only effective in the middle, you might find yourself on the outside looking in.
#4: PLAY MORE THAN ONE SPORT We’ve all heard this one before. Hockey has become a year-round sport. Players are getting burnt out at alarmingly young ages. And the number of overuse injuries in young players are scary. But I’ll save you the lecture on how being a multi-sport athlete will help you be a better player and will prevent injuries in the long-term. I’ll focus instead on the emotional side of the equation. To be the best player you can be you have to miss it. You need to take some time off from playing in games and tournaments. You simply can’t sustain the level of focus and intensity you need to play your best every day. I’m not saying you should sit on the couch and eat chips all summer. And I’m also not saying that you shouldn’t skate at all. In fact, I truly believe players benefit greatly from doing one or two ice sessions per week throughout the summer that are focused entirely on pure skill development. But real champions are great athletes. Depending on your age, that may mean spending some serious time this summer training off the ice. Maybe with weights, maybe with just your bodyweight. It might just mean playing another sport at a high level or just spending lots of time playing a lot of different sports.The bottom line is when training camp comes around, you should be so excited about getting back on the ice that it keeps you up at night and gets your heart racing. You definitely shouldn’t feel like it’s just another day at the rink.I still feel that excitement when training camp rolls around for my team in late August. And I’ve been doing this for 20-plus years. - Kim McCullough is a former Division I captain at Dartmouth and played in the National Women’s Hockey League for six years. She is the director and founder of Total Female Hockey.
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ESSAY CONTEST Enter for a chance to
R E H C U O V 0 5 2 $ A IN W
ps or m a c e th f o e n o d n e to att r clinics in our Summe Hockey Guide! TRUE Hockey wants to help send one boy and one girl to a summer camp or clinic within these pages of Let’s Play Hockey’s Summer Hockey Guide. One girl and one boy under age 16 will receive a $250 voucher to attend one of the camps or clinics in our Summer Hockey Guide, presented by TRUE Hockey. Contestants are asked to write 100 or more word essay on what they love most about hockey. Entries can be e-mailed to bryan@ letsplayhockey with TRUE Hockey Essay Contest in the subject line. Please include your name, age, association, parents’ names, and position with your entry. Winners of the essay contest will be announced at the Let’s Play Hockey Expo on March 9-10 at the TRUE Hockey booth.
Deadline for entries is March 1.
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